New Demand has developed a specific approach to implementing On Demand applications, based on the practical experience of managing innovation across many projects.
The initial step is to identify key business needs, critical success factors, and innovation opportunities. This can be in the context of a specific Salesforce.com project, in which case it defines the type of Salesforce Org and configuration needed as the Project Scope (including any data conversion / System Integration needs) or for a custom silution this is formalized in a Business Technology Strategy. The Business Technology Strategy identifies the overall business context of the organization and identifies specific opportunities to leverage technology innovation for strategic business advantage. Project Scoping defines the objectives, boundaries, cost, and time required to implement a solution. On Demand implementations are based on a 3 Stage Application Delivery Process that uses an iterative implementation approach to deliver successful solutions.
The timeframe to complete the entire process will vary based on the size and complexity of the project, but typically range from 3 to 9 months. The three steps New Demand follows to implement a successful, business-driven On Demand solution are:
Stage 1. Pilot
Deliver an initial application to a small group of users. Choose the users carefully. Make sure that they are fully trained. Use them as a core group to drive changes to the system and act as internal advocates.
Stage 2. Phased Deployment(s)
Segment the deployment into multiple phases based on natural groups - functional areas, geographic areas, levels of complexity, etc. Apply modifications to the overall system based on the results from each implementation. Refine reports and management metrics based on process feedback. Import historical data. Train users as required, and deploy the phase. Repeat as necessary to address the complete system scope.
Stage 3. Application Handover
Ensure the business is self-sufficient, able to maintain reference data, perform user administration, and customize screens and reports. Provide additional training so that the business is fully capable of System Administration, and has a control processes to identify and prioritize system changes. Typically projects involve some combination of cloud based services licensed from Salesforce.com, custom components delivered on the Salesforce.com platform and cloud based services from New Demand.
At the conclusion of an Application Delivery the customer will be able to manage the system. When new application capabilities are desired, or major integration changes are needed, system support agreements allow customers to obtain additional support from New Demand on a cost-effective basis.
New Demand provides consulting support to lead the implementation team and development staff to implement custom technology requirements. Our consultants can act as Technology Management Consultants, Project Managers, System Architects, and Systems Integrators during the process. Our role is to manage the implementation project, introduce best practices, ensure that the application design is efficient, design and manage legacy integration, and support technology transfer from the implementation team to the business.